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BUSINESS NEWS - Three local charities in Mossel Bay received cheques from the Ironman 4 the Kidz Charity.

They were handed over at the ISUZU Dealership in Mossel Bay, CP Nel Motors in Voorbaai, on Thursday, 13 April.

PHOTO GALLERY: ISUZU supports local charities

ISUZU was the main sponsor of last year's international IRONMAN 70.3 event held in Mossel Bay.

The Ironman 4 the Kidz Charity started in 2005 with two novice athletes, who decided to compete in the challenging full Ironman event in Port Elizabeth, completing a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and a 42km run.

This is double the distance of the ISUZU IRONMAN 70.3 held in Mossel Bay. Their aim was to compete, finish and support children in need.

At their first event they raised R11 000 for two children's charities in Port Elizabeth.

Now, 18 years later, the trust has collected and distributed more than R28 million to 20 children's charities in South Africa, with the focus on giving back and making a difference to needy children via charities in the regions that host the event.

The ISUZU IRONMAN 70.3 Mossel Bay in November last year was the first IRONMAN event held in the region and with the support secured from sponsors, such as ISUZU, the ISUZU Foundation, participating athletes and the public, Ironman 4 the Kidz Charity is able to give back and support three local, registered NPOs in the Mossel Bay region:

The first beneficiary, Eden Protocol Foundation, with the two directors Francois Botha and Emile Nel and committee member Ann Strauss, partnered with key charity organisations, helping them with professional services and support to allow them to work effectively.

Their three main projects are supporting:

Be My Arms and Hands feeding scheme.
Join Band not Gangs Sports and Education.
The Surfer Kids NPO.

Karin Gildenhuys from Creating Effective Families (CEF) received a cheque.

CEF is a community-based organisation that helps with a huge range of challenges in the informal community, with projects ranging from fighting ills such as domestic violence and drug abuse and providing assistance in the areas of shelter, food provision, education and medical needs for families and children.

The Education and Training Hub for Autism Needs (Ethan) Foundation, based in Aalwyndal, and headed by Diane Hobbs, was the third charity to receive a cheque. It empowers parents and care givers in managing, educating and caring for autistic individuals.

Creating Effective Families receives a cheque. From left: Kenneth Cupido (CP Nel Motors dealer principal), Prudence Gelderblom (chairman - Creating Effective Families board), Werner Smit (Ironman race director) and Karin Gildenhuys (director, Creating Effective Families).

The Eden Protocol Foundation receives its cheque. From left: Kenneth Cupido (CP Nel Motors dealer principal), Francois Botha (director - Eden Protocol Foundation), Werner Smit (Ironman race director), Ann Strauss (Eden Protocol Foundation) and Emile Nel (director - Eden Protocol Foundation). Photos: Jannie du Plessis